Dick Moss, the MLBPA lawyer who won arbitration and grievance cases that led to large increases in player salaries, died Saturday.

Hired by union executive director Marvin Miller as general counsel in 1967, Moss argued the 1975 case involving pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally that led to arbitrator Peter Seitz striking down the reserve clause. That provision for a unilateral one-year renewal had been included in every contract since 1878 and had enabled teams to control players by maintaining those agreements could be extended perpetually.

ESPN.com

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

The obituary serves as a good read on the history of free agency in baseball and other sports.